Moral panics and changing sociolegal responses toward stigmatized outsiders: Public perceptions of convicted sex offenders and sex offender laws

Kristen Budd, Purdue University

Abstract

Dominant groups in society create "outsiders," which serve the purpose of separating "us" from "them." The "outsiders" are highly stigmatized deviant groups from which dominant social groups protect themselves. The perceived threat from "outsiders," which is influenced by the media, affects the intensity of social responses to stigmatized groups. One illustration of "outsiders" is sex offenders. They present an empirical example of deviant and stigmatized outsiders. Guided by prior studies of moral panics and stigma, this research investigated responses to sex offenders and the social imposition of stigma. I used a mixed methods approach by analyzing a national, general public opinion survey; and conducted in-depth interviews with men and women in a Midwestern community. The survey findings contribute to the literature on the general public's opinion of sex offenders and sex offender specific laws. By analyzing how community members react to and perceive the threat of sex offenders, the findings illustrated the role of media in shaping perceptions of seriousness of sex crimes. The face-to-face, in-depth interviews with community members revealed that the perceptions of sex offender registration and residency restrictions are too generalized and discriminatory in nature. Interviews with members of a sex offender problem solving court team showed that existing laws provide information for the community. The court team members also claimed that laws impede once-incarcerated sex offenders' opportunities to succeed in making a transition back to their communities. Overall, the interviews illustrated the need to examine whether sex offender specific laws, as they are currently designed and implemented, are fair and in the best interest of public safety. This research provides evidence that law and policymakers could reevaluate sex offender registration and residency restriction laws to find a balance between protecting the community and successfully reintegrating sex offenders released from prison.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Mustillo, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Law|Criminology

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